Tube Bait Questions

[Hammer Handle]

I prefer to use crankbaits and topwater when fishing bass, but I have some heavy weeds I like to fish in too, and typically use a rubber frog or tube bait.

I have been hooking my tube baits with a Texas Rig. However, I seen to miss a lot of strikes. Is this due to the hook embedded into the thick rubber body of the tube? Would it work better for me to switch to a hook with a weed guard on it?

Opinions?

[st.crioxfishin]

hammerhandle,

There are a couple reasons why you may be missing bites. First, are you putting the hook point through both sides of the tube, or just leaving it embedded in it? I like to put it through both sides and then "skin hook" the point of the hook on the outside of the tube to keep it weedless. Another reason could be because of the type of line you are using. I prefer braid in heavy cover to make sure I get a solid hookset, but others use a little heavier mono or floro for this application as well. If you are using a lighter mono or floro it can be hard to get a solid hookset in heavy cover IMO. What kinds of hooks are you using? Everyone has their own preference, but with tubes I prefer an EWG hook so the plastic doesn't get balled up over the hook point when I set the hook. Make sure your hooks are sharp and if your fishing in heavy cover I like to really slam back on that hookset to make sure I get a solid hookup. Make sure you are really paying attention when you are fishing these tubes in thick cover, once you feel that bite, set the hook. Most times bass will hold that tube in their mouth much longer compared to a jig, but in any case don't give them time to spit out your lure. Granted all of these things I just stated are mainly based off opinion, these are the things I would first check to see if I couldn't improve my hookups.

[bassNspear]

Great question.

The problem that your having is becuase of the way that you hook the bait with the hook. You have to make sure tha tyou are using a big enough hook that you can take the hook and place it completly through the bait, and then run the hook back into the bait.

All your going to need is the tip of the hook to go through the bait, becuase when you throw the bait into thick cover, the hook is still goign to be inbeaded into the bait, but when you set the hook, the hook is going to be able to have the ablitly to release out of the tube, and have a lot better % of hook set.

Hope this helps out.

[RK]

Hiya -

for T-rigging tubes, make sure you have the right hook. Extra Wide Gap offest shank hooks are a must. Lotsa companies make 'em. I think the ones in my box are either Gamakatsus or Mustads. Also - make sure you 'Texpose' the hook. Run the hook all the way through the tube so the hook point is outside the tube opposite where it went in, then just barely nick the point back into the tube body.

Another hooking option is a jighead like the Northland Jungle-Lock jig, which has a sort of screw-type keeper on it, and a big wide-gap hook.

Final trick - work your tube over a little before you use it, especially if you're using tubes with fairly firm plastic, or with a lot of salt in them. Out of the bag they can be too stiff and jam up the hook gap when you set the hook. Just take the tube and roll it between your palms a few times to loosen it up. When I use hard flipping tubes in the rushes, I used to miss the first 2 -3 fish that hit a new tube until it got broken in a little. Finally dawned on me that I didn't need to let the fish do it for me...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Hammer Handle]

Thanks all!

I used 3/0 size wide gap worm hooks (that is what I had). I have not been pushing the hook all the way through, and will try this.

Last year was my first time using a tube. It was on a very weedy shallow lake with lots of bass. I put a piece of beef jerky in a tube (to tease my friend) and Texas rigged my tube. I caught bass after bass. I missed quite a few, but they normally would take the bait over and over until I caught them. We found them on a good feeding day.

By the way, I was not using any sinker either, which may helping in no hooking them. But, the no sinker was working for me.

Thanks again!!